The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-01-20
SHEEP AND DOGS.
Laws in Different States Regulating the
Liability Of Dog-Owners.


Liability of Dog-Owners.
Not only is the owner of dog liable
for its acts. but any one who harbors it
or allows it upon his premises, is also
liable. But a person is not responsible
for the acts of dog which he tries to
drive away from his premises, or for
those of dog allowed to remain tenn
porarily there, as in the case Of one
who keeps boarders and permits them
to keep dog on the premises; but in
that case the owner of the dog is liable.
The laws with regard to liability for
injury done by dogs to sheep vary con-
siderable in the different States. In
Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Ohio, California, Tennessee.
Alabama, Minnesota, Oregon. Illinois,
New Jersey and Mississippi the statutes
expressly provide that any person may
kill dog found worrying or injuring
sheep. In Michigan any person may,
without rendering himself liable
to civil or criminal action, kill
dog he may see chasing, wor-
rying, wounding or killing sheep,
swine, cattle or any other domes-
tic animal. In Maryland the owner Of
dog is exempted from liability for
sheep killed, if he kills the dog imme-.
diately on receiving notice of the In
jury; but il he fails to do so, the owner
of the sheep may kill the dog and re-
cover double damages. In New Hamp-
shire and Massachusetts the owner OF
any domestic animal, and in Wisconsin
the owner of any sheep or lambs, may
recover from the town for any injury
inflicted by dog. II he chooses the
owner of the injured animal may sus
the owner of the dog instead OF claim
ing damage from the town; but II ne
prefers to prove his loss to the super
visors, and accept an order on the
town treasurer for the amount the
claim is transferred to the town, which
may recover against the owner OF inc
dog; but the owner of the sheep can
not thereafter recover against MIN. ~
Rhode Island, the first time dog wor-
ries a sheep the owner can recover
damages from the person who aaroors
or owns the dog. If after the first no,
tice the dog is still allowed to live anu
Injuries sheep again, his owner IS la'
bic for double damages, and tne
court may order the animal killed.
In Alabama, California, Vermont
and Wisconsin double damages eau
also be recovered. In Connecn'
cut whoever has lost by dogs Worry-
ing or killing his sheep must gisg
notice to the town selectmen' anu
these may sue the owner or narooIcs
of the offending dog, and unless 1as
sheep owner is reimbursed by the sub
the town becomes liable for the dam.
ages. To provide fund to NEE. .ais
liability, dogs are licensed, ana tuo
license fees are held to meet such claims.
When several dogs belonging ~
different owners unite in COMM .sns
mischief, at common law each own,
is liable ouly for the acts OF MS oma
animal. There would naturshy "
considerable difficulty in ascertaih'ns
the extent of the injury done by eaoa
dog. but the jury can adopt any TO-
able rule for ascertaining the dainaso
If the animals are of unequal SIZE aus
have different capacities for mlsca IN,
the jury may take into consia'r III. ~
the damage done by each in aIp.Oar
mating the liabilities OF the om s.;a,,s
By statute, however, in Connecllca..
Vermont and Ohio. the several o#he,s
of dogs that unite in mischief are lo'n ..;s
liable therefor; while in Pennsy,vaaa.s
each owner is liable for the whole =,
jury in the doing Of which ms uoS
Jointly engaged.-Rural Ne" ios